Biography of Dayanand Darekar: Founder & CEO of Chalte Firte Mangal Karyalay
Biography of Dayanand Darekar:
Birth of a Unique Business Idea
Dayanand Darekar, hailing from Latur, Maharashtra, turned a
unique vision into reality with his company "Chalte Firte Mangal
Karyalay," a portable wedding hall. This idea emerged from Dayanand's
extensive experience in the wedding and event industry. Before venturing into
this innovative business, Dayanand had lived a modest life. He once worked as a
cleaner in Pune, sold vada pav, and even drove an auto. His journey took a
significant turn when he entered the mandap decoration business, where he
eventually made over Rs 1 crore in profits, setting the stage for his next big
venture.
The Concept of the Portable Hall
The portable wedding hall is an unconventional solution
designed to meet the growing demand for flexible wedding venues. The hall,
which is mounted on a truck, can accommodate up to 300 people, making it ideal
for both intimate and larger gatherings. The hall comes fully equipped with
modern amenities such as air conditioning, lighting, and sound systems. This
concept allows couples to celebrate their big day anywhere, as the hall can be
set up on various terrains and locations. It is a new take on traditional
wedding halls, offering mobility and convenience.
Family-driven Business
Dayanand runs the business alongside his wife, Sangeeta, and
their son, Omkar. Together, they form a close-knit team dedicated to making
"Chalte Firte Mangal Karyalay" a success. Since its inception in
January 2023, the family has already hosted over 40 events, showcasing the
versatility and appeal of their portable wedding hall. Their entrepreneurial
spirit and hard work have been key factors in the early success of the
business, and they continue to strive for growth in the competitive wedding
industry.
Biography of Dayanand Darekar: Founder & CEO of Chalte Firte Mangal Karyalay/enttrepreneur/age/net worth/shadi decoration/shark tank/Dayanand D
Impressing the Sharks on Shark Tank India
The Darekar family's business idea caught the attention of
the judges on Shark Tank India season 3, where they pitched for an investment
of Rs 2 crore in exchange for a 10% equity stake. Their presentation
highlighted the uniqueness of the mobile wedding hall, showing off its features
and potential for growth. The Sharks were impressed by the ambition and
creativity behind the idea, even though there were concerns about its
scalability and practical challenges.
The Pitch and Its Challenges
During their appearance on Shark Tank, Dayanand shared his
long-term vision to scale the business by expanding to 900 trucks in major
towns. Despite his enthusiasm, the Sharks questioned the feasibility of such
rapid expansion, pointing out that focusing on perfecting the current setup
would be a more sensible approach before attempting large-scale growth. The
Sharks were intrigued by the concept but cautioned Dayanand to carefully
evaluate demand and infrastructure before pushing forward with such ambitious
goals.
The Feedback from Anupam Mittal
Anupam Mittal, one of the Sharks, expressed some doubts
about the business's scalability. While he appreciated Dayanand's passion and
risk-taking, he questioned the wisdom of attempting to scale so quickly without
fully maximizing the potential of the first truck. He advised Dayanand to focus
on improving the hall's quality and demand in specific regions rather than
rushing to expand the fleet. Anupam's concerns were rooted in the need to build
a strong foundation before growing the business exponentially.
Namita Thapar's Concerns About Safety
Namita Thapar, another Shark, labeled the portable hall
business as "risky," citing safety concerns. The hall's structure,
mounted on a truck, raised issues regarding its stability and fire safety. She
expressed that these factors needed to be addressed before the business could
be considered viable for widespread use. Despite this, she acknowledged the
innovative nature of the idea, though she remained cautious about the potential
risks involved.
Peyush Bansal's Perspective
Peyush Bansal, the co-founder of boAt, was more optimistic
about the business, praising Dayanand's boldness in pursuing such an
unconventional idea. However, he advised Dayanand not to rush the process and
suggested that he take his time in refining the business model. Peyush believed
that rushing into mass production without a solid foundation could lead to
problems down the line. He encouraged the Darekar family to focus on building a
robust, scalable model before expanding.
The Price and Demand for the Hall
The cost of renting the portable wedding hall is
approximately Rs 50,000 per day, with additional charges for food and other
services. Dayanand shared that the price for hosting a wedding for 200 people,
including food, could reach around Rs 80,000 per day. The hall's versatility,
modern amenities, and unique appeal have garnered positive feedback from
clients, who love the idea of having a wedding venue that can be set up
anywhere. Despite its popularity, the Sharks felt that the business needed more
market validation before securing any investment.
Learning from the Experience
While the Darekar family did not secure an investment from
the Sharks, the experience proved invaluable. Omkar Darekar, Dayanand's son,
reflected on the opportunity to appear on Shark Tank India as both surreal and
enriching. He emphasized the insights gained from the Sharks, which have helped
the family gain a broader perspective on how to grow and improve their
business. The appearance on the show, despite the lack of investment, has
opened doors for further learning and networking.
A Bold Vision for the Future
Dayanand’s vision for the future of "Chalte Firte
Mangal Karyalay" is bold and ambitious. He aims to revolutionize the
wedding industry by offering a flexible and accessible solution to wedding
planning. Although the Sharks did not invest, the Darekar family remains
committed to their dream. With plans to refine the business and improve the
hall’s offerings, they hope to expand their reach and cater to a larger
audience in the coming years. Their journey continues, filled with lessons
learned and new opportunities to explore.
A timeline based on the story of "Chalte Firte Mangal
Karyalay":
January 2023: Dayanand Darekar launches "Chalte Firte
Mangal Karyalay" with the portable wedding hall concept.
Early 2023: Family hosts over 40 events, gaining traction in
the wedding industry.
2023 (Season 3): The business is featured on Shark Tank
India.
2023 (Shark Tank Appearance): Dayanand pitches for Rs 2
crore investment; receives feedback from Sharks about scalability and safety.
Post-Shark Tank: Family reflects on their Shark Tank
experience and plans to refine their business model.
Future Plans: Dayanand aims to expand the business and
improve offerings while learning from the Shark Tank feedback.
